Senior military leaders briefed President Trump on updated options for possible operations in Venezuela, but reporters say no final decision was made. The USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group has entered U.S. Southern Command’s area and joined other naval, air and special operations assets in the region. In recent weeks U.S. strikes have targeted at least 21 vessels accused of drug trafficking, with officials reporting about 80 alleged smugglers killed and two survivors repatriated. President Trump also said Nicolás Maduro had offered “everything” to end hostilities, adding that Maduro “doesn’t want to fuck around with the United States.”
Military Leaders Presented Trump With ‘Updated Options’ for Venezuela as USS Gerald Ford Deploys
Senior military leaders briefed President Trump on updated options for possible operations in Venezuela, but reporters say no final decision was made. The USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group has entered U.S. Southern Command’s area and joined other naval, air and special operations assets in the region. In recent weeks U.S. strikes have targeted at least 21 vessels accused of drug trafficking, with officials reporting about 80 alleged smugglers killed and two survivors repatriated. President Trump also said Nicolás Maduro had offered “everything” to end hostilities, adding that Maduro “doesn’t want to fuck around with the United States.”
06:51 AM, 11/14/2025Security
Military Briefing on Venezuela Yields No Final Decision
Senior U.S. military and administration officials briefed President Donald Trump on Wednesday with what reporters described as “updated options for potential operations in Venezuela,” according to CBS News reporters Jennifer Jacobs and James LaPorta.
The reporters named Pete Hegseth and Air Force General Dan Caine among those present, along with other senior officials; the report notes that no final decision was reached during the meeting.
Carrier Group and Regional Posture
Earlier this week the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group entered the geographic area overseen by U.S. Southern Command, the combatant command responsible for U.S. military operations across the Caribbean and South America. The Gerald Ford joined destroyers, combat aircraft and special operations units already operating in the region.
Counter‑drug Strikes and Casualties
Over the past two months U.S. forces have conducted strikes against vessels they say were being used to ferry drugs from South America toward the United States. Reporters cite at least 21 vessels struck across 20 separate reported strike events (one late‑October operation reportedly struck two boats). Officials say the strikes have killed at least 80 alleged smugglers. Two people reportedly survived and were repatriated—one to Ecuador and one to Colombia. The individual returned to Ecuador was released after authorities said they found no evidence he had committed a crime.
Remarks From the President
“He’s offered everything. You’re right. You know why? Because he doesn’t want to fuck around with the United States.”
That comment was Mr. Trump’s response last month when asked about reporting that Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro had offered concessions to halt hostilities.
Attribution: This account is based on reporting by CBS News and was first carried by Mediaite.